The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-10-23
CHAPTER " CONTINUED.

rbe yaporous veil that hid the landscape.
Then occurred one of those magical changes
peculiar 20 the climate, yet perhaps pre-em-
inently notable during that historic winter
and spring. By ten O'Clock Oh that I'd
Of NAV. 1880 fcrvent Junc-like sun
had rent that vaporous veil, and poured
IFS direct rays upon the gaunt and bag
gard profile Of the Jersey hills. The
chilled soil responded but fcebly 10 that
kiss. perhaps a few OF the willows that
yellOwed the river banks took on q deeper
color. But the country folk were certain
that spring had come at last. and even the
correct and sei-sustained Mai Van
Zandt came running VA Co announce to
Mistress Thankful that one Of hi, men
had seen a vioIet in the meadow In an
other moment Mistress Thankful had
donned her cloak and pattens 10 view this
drstling Of the laogard summer II was
quite natural that Maj Van Zandt
should accompany her rs she tripped on.
and so. without a thought Of their past
differences they ran like very children
down the moist and rocky slope that led
TO the quaggy meadow. Such was the in
huence Of the vernal season.
But the yiOlets were hidden Mistress
Thankful regardless ol the wet leaves
and her new gown, CROPPED with her fin
gers among the withcred grasses. Maj
Van Iandt leaned against bOwlder and
watched her with admiring eyes.
you'll never find flowers that way,
she said at last, looking up 20 him impa
tiently. go down on your knees like an
honest man There are some things In
this world worth STOPPING for.
The major instantly dropped ON his
knees beside her. But 40 that moment
Mistress Thankful found her posics. and
rose 10. her feet "Stay where you are.
she said miscmevou*ly. as she stopped
down md placed a Cover in the lapel Of
his coat THAT is To- make amends FOR
my rudcncss Now get up.
But the major did not rise He caught
the two little hands that had seemed to
nutter like birds against bal, breast. and.
looking mp into the laughing face above
him. said. Dear Mistress Thankful, dare
I remind you Of yOsr own words that
there be some things worth STOPPING fOrF
Think Of ms love Mistress Thankful, as
a nOwer-mayhap not as gracious to you
rs your vi0lcts, but as honest and-and-
and-as &c.,
laughed Thankful. "But no; get up.
maiorl What would the fine Indies Of
Morristown say Of your kneeling at the
feet Of a country girl-the play and sport
Of every fine gentleman What if Mistress
Bolton should zee her own cavalier, the
mOdish Mai Van Handt, prOilering his
affections 10 the disglaced sweetheat of e
periured traitor, Leave 90 my hand, ]
pray you major, if you rcspect'--
She was free yet she fallered a moment
beside him. with tears quiyel ng on her
long brown lashes. Then she said iremu-
lousy, Rise up major Let us think no
more Of this. Ipray you forgive me- if
have again been rude"
The major struggled to rise to TAI, felt,
but ne could not And then I regret 70
have to record that the fact became obvi-
Gus that one Of his shapely legs was in "A
bog hole. and that he was pcrceptibly
sinking GU; 81 sight Whereat Mistress
Thankful trilled out three syllabled
laugh, looked demure and painfully con
cerncd at his condition and then laughed
agan The major joined in her mirth,
albeit his face was crimson. And then,
With a little cry of alarm She flew to his
Keep away keep away, for Heavens
sake Misircs, Blossom he said quickly,
cor shall plunge you into my mishap
and make you as ridiculous as myself.
But the quick witted girl had already
leaned 10 an adjacent bowldcr "Iake OF
yonr sash. " she said quickly. "msten il
20 your belt aud throw 10 tome He did
so. She straightened herself back uu fhc
rock. "Now, all together, she cried,
with preliminary strain on The sash; and
then the cords of her we'll trained muscles
stood ont ON her rounded arms, and. with
long pull and a strong pull and pull
all together, She landed the major upon
the rock And then She laughed, and then,
inconsistent as il may appear, She became
grave. and at once proceeded 90 scrape
him of and rub him down with dried
leaves with fern twigs, with her hand
kerchief. with the border of her mantle,
as il hc were child, until he blushed
with alternate shame and secret satisfac.
ton.
They spoke but little on thoir return 10
the farm house. for Mistress Thankful
had again become grave. And yet the
sun shonc cheerily above them. the land
scape was filled with the joy of resurrec-
tion and new and awakened life the breeze
whispered gentle promises of hope and
the fruition of their hopes in the summer
10 COME And these two Jared GOA until
they reached the porch with half
pleased. half frightened consciousness
that they were not the same beings who
had left ID "a half hour before
Nevertheless al the porch Mistress
Thankful reeained something of her old
audacty ~ they stood together in the
hall, she handed him back The sash She
had kept with her As She did so. she
could not help saying. There are some
things worth STOPPING for Maj Van
Zandt."
But she had not calculated upon the
sudacity of the man, and as She turned TO
fy she was caught 10y his strong arm. and
pnioned "a his side She struggled hon
estly think, and perhaps more fright
ened al her own feelings than at his
strength. but IL is 10 be recorded that he
kissed her i'm a moment Of comparative
yielding and then. frightened himself. re-
ceased her quickly, whereat She fled to her
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